Listen

I had coffee with my cousin Margaret last week and we caught up on each others lives. She mentioned a new practice she’s taken on this year of setting a one-word intention for each month. Her reasoning resonated with me: there are so many things pulling for our attention and time but we can only truly commit to a few things at once. Changing our intentions from month to month allows us the time to focus on just one area of growth or exploration instead of spreading ourselves too thin.

I’m certainly guilty of trying to hold too many intentions at once. I frequently wonder what might happen if I remembered to do everything I hope to do in a day: exercise before the sun rises, eat 6 cups of leafy greens, do every step of my skincare routine, drink enough water, meditate on scripture, excel at work, read for fun, cook an elaborate meal, call all the people I love, and then sleep for 8 hours. I’d get a gold star?! No, I’d have to do it all again the next day!

My intentions are spread thin and I often drop multiple balls. After leaving coffee with my cousin I wrote down some ideas for intentions to hold each month. My first idea quickly became my intention for July: Listen.

I know every tool and skill for how to be an engaged listener, but I often feel like a bad listener. When people share with me what excites them my mind floods with ideas and possibilities. I try to stay in the present moment with people, and still I run right into the future. I’m also extraordinarily busy these days and so I feel like I don’t have enough time to give people the attention they deserve. I don’t like when I come off as distracted, rushed, or self-involved, but I imagine I frequently come off this way. I’m determined to close the gulf between who I am and who I’d like to be.

This month, I intend to listen a little longer than I normally would, and stay focused on the present moment with others. My intention to listen also includes listening to where God is trying to break into my life and lead me, as well as slowing down to listen to the birds, the breeze in the trees, and the sounds of life all around me. I’ll listen and respond to my body’s signs that I need rest or movement, water or food. I’ll listen more attentively to the thoughts that float through my mind every day.

I’m curious to continue to notice what I hear and how I grow. Margaret shared that her intentions this year have all revolved around creativity and connection. Some of my other ideas are: learn, notice, create, play, move. Let me know if you take on an intention for July or August and how it shapes your month!

Text copyright © 2023 Grace Woodward. All rights reserved.